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Fine Art

Gift Horse

London’s Fourth Plinth art project continues its controversial modern twist to the somewhat more traditional landmarks in and around London’s Trafalgar Square.

The latest offering, “Gift Horse,” took up residence in the Square’s northwest corner recently and delves into the link between power, money and history.

London mayor Boris Johnson unveiled the sculpture, which was created by 78 year old German-born conceptual artist Hans Hacke. The skeleton of a riderless horse has a ribbon-shaped electronic ticker tied to its left leg which streams live market data from London’s Stock Exchange. The sculpture is based on the engraving “The Anatomy of a Horse” by English artist George Stubbs which just so happens to reside in London’s National Gallery just across the Square.